The late Gimme Da Lute (Midnight Lute), winner of the 2015 GII Los Alamitos Derby and GIII Affirmed S., was named California-bred Horse of the Year at the annual California Thoroughbred Breeders Association's Awards Dinner held Wednesday evening at the Westin Pasadena. The 3-year-old outpointed fellow finalists California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) and Spanish Queen (Tribal Rule). Bred and raced by Mike Pegram and his partners Karl Watson and Paul Weitman, Gimma Da Lute won six of his nine starts in 2015, including a 12 1/4-length romp in the Real Good Deal S. at Del Mar in August. The bay suffered a condylar fracture of a hind leg following a work in November and underwent surgery to have screws inserted, but broke his leg coming out of the procedure and was subsequently euthanized. Gimme Da Lute was also named the champion Cal-bred of his generation.
Though he made just one U.S. appearance in 2015, California Chrome was named champion older Cal-bred male. The chestnut, winner of the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness S. in 2014, was runner-up to the ill-fated Shared Belief (Candy Ride {Arg}) in the GII San Antonio Invitational S. Spanish Queen secured honors as the top Cal-bred 3-year-old filly and the champion turf horse courtesy of victories in the GII Honeymoon S. and the GI American Oaks last spring.
CALIFORNIA-BRED CHAMPIONS 2015
HOTY/Ch. 3yo Male/Ch. Sprinter
GIMME DA LUTE (Midnight Lute)
Ch. Older Male
CALIFORNIA CHROME (Lucky Pulpit)
Ch. Older Female
WARREN'S VENEDA (Affirmative)
Ch. Turf Horse/Ch. 3yo Female
SPANISH QUEEN (Tribal Rule)
Ch. 2yo Male
SMOKEY IMAGE (Southern Image)
Ch. 2yo Filly
TDN Rising Star PACIFIC HEAT (Unusual Heat)
Broodmare of the Year
ASHLEY'S FOLLY (Urgent Request {Ire})
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